Kemin is the northeast panhandle district of Chüy Region in northern Kyrgyzstan. Its area is 3533 km2, making it the largest district of Chüy Region, and its resident population was 48,360 in 2021. Its administrative headquarters is at Kemin. The district is located in the Chong-Kemin Valley, the Kichi-Kemin Valley and the eastern part of the Chüy Valley. It borders with Kazakhstan in the north, Chüy District in the west, and Issyk-Kul Region in the south and east.

Topography

The western part of the district is flat with altitudes 1000–1600 msl, and the eastern part is mountainous.

Climate

The climate is sharply continental with cold winters and cool summers; January temperatures averaging −5 °C to −10 °C, July +17 °C to +18 °C. Average precipitation is from 200 mm in flatlands, and up to 600–700 mm in mountains.

Hydrology

Large rivers in the district include the Chu, Chong-Kemin, Kichi-Kemin and others. There are also several small lakes: Chong-Kelter, Chelek and Kosh-Kel

Demographics

The population of Kemin District, according to the Population and Housing Census of 2009, was 44,118 which is second lowest among districts of the Chüy Region. Average density is 12 people per square kilometer. Some 36% of population lives in urban areas, and 64% in rural ones.

Ethnic composition

According to the 2009 Census, the ethnic composition (de jure population) of the Kemin District was:

Populated places

In total, Kemin District include 2 towns, 1 urban-type settlement and 34 settlements in 11 rural communities (ayyl aymagy). Each rural community can consist of one or several villages. The towns, urban-type settlements, rural communities and villages in the Kemin District are: